Stationary packer assemblies

ABSTRACT

A stationary packer for compacting refuse into a transport container wherein the charging box has a swinging head capable of moving the refuse from the charging box through an opening in a wall of the container and compacting the refuse into the container. The container is locked to the charging box during filling. Baffling is provided in the container to facilitate distribution of the refuse therein under force of the packer head.

United. States Patent [72] Inventors Harvey W-Liberman; 3,202,346 8/1965 Jacobs (100/229UX) Charles R. Toppins; Paul D. Alford, 3,229,622 1/1966 French et a1 (100/229UX) Knoxville, Tenn. 3,301,414 1/ 1967 Clar l00/229X [21] App]. No. 746,906 3,338,435 8/1967 Rey 214/83.3X [22] Filed July 23, 1968 3,318,231 5/1967 Felts 100/52 [45] Patented Jan. 12, 1971 FOREIGN PATENTS [731 a 968,489 4/1950 France 100/233 471,774 2/1919 Germany 214/833 a corporation of Tennessee [54] STATIONARY PACKER ASSEMBLIES sory), 100/229, 233, 245, 236, 269; 141/71, 73; $3/124;214/41, 83.3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,934,198 4/1960 Schonroclt (l00/229UX) Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite Attorney-Burns, Doane, Benedict, Swecker & Mathis head capable of moving the refuse from the charging box,

through an opening in a wall of the container and compacting the refuse into the container. The container is locked to the charging box during filling. Baffling is provided in the container to facilitate distribution of the refuse therein under force of the packer head.

I PAT ENT ED M 1 2 191! SHEET 1 or 5 INVENTORS ATTORNEKS PATENTEDJANIZIB?! I SHEETZ UPS SHEET 3 OF 5 YJPATENTEDJANIZISH PATENTEUmnagsfl 35 2 snztmur's ATTORNEYS PATENTEnJAmxsn I 3.554120 I SHEET 5 or 5 l a Al l- 3 /4 26 I i I 11" 13 INVENTORS 5 d flwduwzm ATTORNEKS STATIONARY PACKER ASSEMBLIES OBJECTS AND DESCRIPTION This invention relates to improvements in Stationary Packer Assemblies of the character used for compacting refuse in a transport container. I v I Most stationary packers, as provided heretofore for compacting refuse in, transport containers, have required a considerable amount of space for the locationthereof at the point of accumulation, as well as being expensive to construct and to operate. usually,'these are operated in a straight line motion, moving the packer head through-a hopper into the container. One example of apacker of that type is illustrated in French Pat. No. 3,229,622, dated Jan. 18,1966.

One object of this invention is to provide a small sized stationary refuse packer which will operate in materially reduced space, as compared with packers used'heretofore, for compacting refuse in a transport container. t Y

\ Another'object of the invention isto simplify and improve the construction of a stationary refuse packer to enable it to be manufactured at less cost and thus be made available at low investment and yet will accomplish effectively the compacting of the refuse in a transport container.

Still another objectof the invention is to improve'the construction of the transport container by providing for the effective distribution of the refuse material as it is compacted in the container, both lengthwise andtransversely thereof, so as to substantially fill the container with compacted refuse.

These objects maybe accomplished, according to one embodiment of -the invention,by providing a. stationary packer constructed to be connected with a transport container having an opening in asideof the container to receive refuse from the packer. A compaction head is mounted for swinging movement through'the chargingbox of the; packer to compactthe material in the container as it is forced out of the charging box, which compaction head is operated by suitable power means. The container is locked to the packer during filling through an opening in aside of the container which registers with the discharge opening of the charging box when the container and packer are connected together through suitable locks.

The container is provided with a baffle along the lower portion thereof at the side opposite the filling opening so disposed as to distribute the material throughout the height of the container in that region of the containerand thus aid in effective filling and compacting the container. The bottomportion of the container isalso provided with a kicker baffle spaced laterally from the inlet, but intermediate-the width of the container, as a further aidirt distributing the material lengthwise thereof, as well as along the height of the container. The kicker baffle also relieves the internal horizontal pressure of the material against the front wall indumping to facilitate discharging the load.

This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a container and .packer in assembled relation;

FIG. 2 is a similar view, showing the container and packer separated;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container and packer assembly;

HO. 4 is a side elevation thereof;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the container toward the filling side thereof; I

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the packer at the side facing the container;- I t FIG. 7 is an end elevation of the packet connected with a container;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing a detail of the lock assembly; and I v FIG. 9 is a side elevation thereof.

The assembly illustrated comprises a suitable transport container, generally indicated by the numeral 1, and a packer,

, 2 generally indicated by the numeral 2. These are shown coupled together in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 for compacting refuse in the container. Any suitable or desired form of container may be used in connection with the packer 2, but the form illustrated is of the type adapted for bottom discharge.

In this form of container, there are the usual end walls 3 and front and rear sidewalls 4 and 5. The wall 4 is provided with the usual bail 6 (FIGS. 4 and 5) adapted to be engaged by the hook of the transport unit to support the body of the container during dumping in a manner well understood in the art.

The container is provided with a bottom 7, hinged at 8 to the bail wall 4 so as to drop to a dumping position, as indicated in dottedlines in FIG. 4. The bottom 7 has lifting pins 9 connected with the opposite ends of the bottom adapted to be connected with the lifting chains on the power unit which picks up the container for transport to a remote point for dumping. The bottom of the container is open, except when closed by the bottom 7, which forms a doortherefor, and upon opening of this bottom discharge door the contents can be discharged from the container.

The container is picked up by lifting chains connected with the pins 9 for transportation. However, when the hoisting unit has reached the point of discharge and the material is to be dumped, the usual lifting hook is engaged with the bail 6 to hold the body of the container while the door 7 is opened and thereby discharge the material from the container. This construction and operation is well understood in the art.

The wall 5 of the container has a filling opening, generally indicated at 10, which extends partway only of the length of the container, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The wall 5 is braced by bars 11 extending along the upper and lower edges of the opening 10, preferably along the length of the wall, to effect suitable support. These bars 11 are interconnected by upright 'struts 12 at the opposite ends of the opening 10. The parts 10 and 11 thus form a frame around the opening 10 and are connected with the plate forming the wall 5.

The packer 2 is mounted in a stationary position upon a suitable foundation. Upright posts 13 serve to hold the packer in place in the illustrated embodiment and constitute supports for a suitable framework and having enclosed sides forming a housing at one end of the sidewall having the opening 10. Top and bottom beams 14 extend between a pair of the posts 13 at opposite sides of the packer and support a frame 15 which enters the opening 10 in the container wall when the packer and container are in assembled relation. The posts 13 and beams 14 form an elongated frame for the packer that may extend along the wall 5 of the container.

The frame 15 is at the open side of a charging chamber or box 16, enclosed by an arcuate wall 17 forming one segment of the packer 2 and which wall is also connected with the frame of the packer. The charging box 16 is open at the top and in the example illustrated does not include a hopper, although a hopper may be provided thereon if desired.

Mounted in suitable bearings in the beams 14 is an upright shaft 18 upon which is mounted a compaction head 19 which extends radially of the charging box 16 and throughout the height thereof. This compaction head may be in the form of a plate or fabricated structure covering substantially the entire radial surface of the charging chamber 16, as will be apparent from FIG. 6, and capable of sweeping the material from the charging chamber 16 through the opening 10 into the container 1.

The compaction head 19 has a segmental shield 20 connected with the top thereof for closing the top of the charging chamber while the compaction head is moved in the container so as to prevent material from dropping behind the compaction head. It may be provided as well with a scraper bar 21 along the lower edge, as illustrated in FIG. 6, to remove accumulated material from the bottom of the charging chamber 16.

The compaction head 19 is operated by suitable power means, such for example as a hydraulic cylinder 22, one end of which is connected at 23 with the compaction head 19, while the cylinder is pivotally connected at 24 with one of the posts 13 so as to extend in bridging relation therebetween. Thus, upon expanding operation of the cylinder 22, the compaction head 19 will be moved in a swinging motion around the axis of the shaft 18 to move through the charging chamber 16 into and out of the opening of the container.

It is preferred that the container and packer be securely locked together during the filling operation. We have provided locking pins 25 on opposite sides of the container adjacent the wall in position to enter between guide fingers 26 secured in spaced relation on the upright posts 13 at the opposite sides of the packer. Horizontal flanges 27 on the guide fingers 26 are provided with openings in position to receive two drop pins 28 which may be inserted through these aligned holes in front of the lock pins and thus prevent the latter from coming out of the throats formed by the fingers 26. In this way, the container will be securely locked to the stationary packer during the filling operation.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the container 1 is provided with baffle means to distribute the material as it is introduced into the container. A baffle 29 is hinged at 30 to the bail wall 4 of the container and extends downwardly in an oblique position over the hinge edge of the door 7, with the lower edge of the baffle 29 indicated at 31 resting upon the door 7 in the closed position of the latter. However, the baffle is free of the door so as to allow the door to open fully and the baffle drops to an upright position upon opening the door and thus does not interfere with the opening of the door, but in the closed position of the door, the baffle extends in a substantially oblique position, preferably at about 45 to the bottom surface and throughout the length of the container.

Thus, as material is pushed toward the rear of the container, it will not become lodged in the bottom corner of the container, but will be distributed up along the inclined surface of the baffle 29 and thus fill substantially the entire area of the container. Moreover, the backward swinging of the baffle 29, upon opening the door 7, relieves the internal horizontal pressure of the material against the front wall in dumping to facilitate discharging the load. This relief of pressure allows the relieved material to drop through the opening of the door 7, thus effecting a more reliable dumping operation.

Another baffle is indicated at 32, mounted on the bottom discharge door 7 near the free edge thereof. This baffle 32 is of tapered character, triangular in section, with an enlarged end toward the open end of the container and extending throughout the length of the opening 10, but with a smaller end toward the closed end of the container, as will be apparent from FIG. 5. This gives an inclined surface 33 of graduated height to direct the material upwardly and toward the rear of the container, but also lengthwise of the container. Thus, the location of the opening in one end of the container, due to the offset position of the packer, will not limit the compaction of the refuse in that portion only, but will distribute the refuse into the closed section of the container. Another baffle is indicated at 34 in the end of the container.

The packer may be located in any suitable position convenient for filling. For example, it may be located beside a dock or in position to receive refuse from a conveyor or to be filled by hand or in other way. The refuse is dumped or directed into the charging chamber 16 when the packer is connected with the container 1 substantially in the relation illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

At suitable intervals, the compression head 19 is operated to force the refuse from the charging chamber 16 into the container 1 by power supplied to the cylinder 22. A suitable power unit may be connected to the packer 2 to provide for control and cycling operations, moving the compaction head through one full stroke and then return, as, for example, that set forth in Dempster Pat. No. 3,202,305, dated Aug. 24, I965. This unit can be made to fit within the confines of the frame 13-14 as viewed in FIG. 7. It should be detachable and removable therefrom.

The power unit is self-contained and is designated generally at P. This power unit P includes a supporting base 36 removably mounted in the frame 13-14 and having mounted thereon a pump 37 and valve 38 for controlling the supply of fluid to the cylinder 22 from a tank 39. Suitable manual controls for the valve will regulate the direction in which the cylinder operates the compaction head 19 in a manner that is well understood in the art.

As the refuse is forced through the inlet opening 10 into the container, it is directed upward along the surface 33 of the baffle 32, which surface 33 is inclined in two directions lengthwise and transversely of the container so as to direct the refuse into the closed end of the container as well as transversely of the container. This serves to distribute the refuse throughout the area of the container. This distribution is aided by the inclined baffle 29 along the bail wall of the container which directs the refuse upwardly into the upper portion of the container against clogging in the lower corner thereof.

These operations are continued until the container is filled to the desired extent. It is then necessary to remove the container for transport to the point of discharge, such as a dump. This is accomplished by removing the drop pins 28 to allow separation of the container from the packer and connecting the lifting chains with the lifting pins 9. The transport vehicle is then moved forward, dragging the container along the ground until the lock pins 25 are free ofthe fingers 26. The lifting chains of the hoisting unit can then be operated to raise the container 1 onto the vehicle for transport.

As soon as the container is separated from the packer 2, it is usually desirable to close the opening 10 while the container I is transported to the dump. A suitable cover may be provided for this purpose. An example thereof is illustrated at 35 in FIG. 2, normally held in a rolled-up condition, but available for unrolling over the opening and to be fastened to confine the refuse during transportation. Any suitable or desired cover may be used for this purpose.

This operation is reversed when an empty container is brought to the packer to be connected therewith for filling. The filling operation of this empty container then is resumed as above described.

The filling opening 10 occupies a portion only of the width of the container from one end toward the opposite end to allow space at the opposite end for the power unit of the packer. This reduces appreciably the overall length of the packer and container combined, by utilizing the width of the container and effecting transverse movement in accomplishing the compressing action. At the same time, the construction is relatively inexpensive, enabling it to be installed at low cost and yet to provide the required degree of pressure to effect substantial packing action in the container. Bafiling inside the container insures maximum compaction substantially throughout the container, with very large loads according to the capacity of the container. The baffling also relieves internal horizontal pressure against the front wall in dumping to facilitate discharging the load.

While the invention is illustrated and described in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention set forth in the claims.

We claim:

1. In a stationary packer assembly, the combination with a container having an opening in a side thereof, of a packer unit extending transversely of said side, means detachably connecting the container with the packer unit for separation and removal of the container therefrom, packer means located in one end portion of the packer unit and operated transversely of the container for directing material through the opening into the container, and power means located in the opposite end portion of the packer unit and operatively connected with the packer means for moving the packer means.

2. In a stationary packer assembly according to claim 1, the packer unit including a charging chamber, and the transversely operated means including a compaction head mounted for swinging movement through the charging chamber.

4. in a stationary packer assemblyaccording to claim 1, and

means for supporting the packer unit Separate and independent of the container.

5. In a stationary packer assembly according to claim 1, the container having baffle means in the lower portion thereof for directing the material upwardly 'and'lengthwise of the con- .tainer. i

6. A stationary packer' com'prising a supporting frame, means carried by the frame forming .a charging chamber open at one sideand the, top, an upright compaction head forming another sideof the charging chambenmeans mounting the compaction head for swinging movement about an upright axis through the charging chamber, means for applying power thereto to move the head in the 'cha'mberQ and a shield connected with the upper portion'o'f the 'compaction head to be moved thereby about the axis of the head to a position to shield the'charging chamber when the compaction head'forces material through the open side and tobe 'retracted'for filling the charging chamber. upon movement of the compaction head to a retracted position. i i

7. A stationary packer according to claim 6, the mounting meansincluding an upright shaft supporting the compaction head for swingingniov'em'ent .inan are through the charging chambenfl -8. A stationary pa'cker according to claim 6, the power means including apower cylinder connected at one end with the frame and at'the opposite endwith the; compaction head within the lateral confinesthereof, and; adapted to be connected with a self-containedremovable power unit.

9. A- container comprisingsuri'ounding walls including opposite sidewalls'and a. bottom, said container having an opening atone side thereof, a packer'devicesecured to the contain'er between parallel planes extendingalong 'the'adjacent sidewalls, said device including a packer-head located at one end of said one side operating throughsaid opening, and means. located substantially between said parallel planes at the opposite end of said one sitlefor operating thepaclcerhe'ad.

10. A container according to claim 9,.wher'ein the packer head is pivotally mounted to operate through an arc into the opening. 1

ll. A container according to claim 9, wherein the packer device includes a hopper portion extending approximately one-half the width of the container. and the operating means extends through the other one-half of the width of the container.

12. In a stationary packer assembly, the combination with a' container having end walls and sidewalls, one of the sidewalls having an opening therein adjacent oneofthe end walls, of a packer unit connected with the container and extending along said one sidewall, said. packer unit including acharging chamber at one end of said one side with a bottom and an open top, a packer head mounted in the packerunit for movement through the charging chamber. to force material therefrom through the opening into the container, said packer side of the housing.

14. in a stationary packer according to claim 12, wherein the housing includes a supporting frame and enclosing sides. means mounting the packer head for swinging movement on the frame, and a powercylinder connected at one end with the packer head and extending therefrom to the frame substantially at the op site side of the housing.

1 In a sta ionary packer according to claim 12, wherein the packer head is moved through the opening into the container. i

16. In a stationary packer according to claim 12, wherein the packer head has a shield fixed to the upper edge portion thereof for closing the open top of the charging chamber upon movement of the packer head to saidcontainer opening.

17. ln a stationary packer assembly, the combination with a container having end walls and sidewalls, one of the sidewalls having an opening thereinadjacent one of the end walls, of a packer unit comprising a supporting frame extending along said one side of the. container, means forconnecting the frame with the container, means forming a housing at one end of the frame, separate means forming a charging chamber at the opposite end of the frame having an open top and a side in registry with the opening in the container; an upright shaft mounted in the frame intermediate the housing and the charging chamber and'approximately midway of the length of said one side, a packer head mounted on the shaft for swinging movement to the container opening, and a power cylinder connected at one end with the packer head and extending therefrom to the opposite side of the housing.

. 18. In a stationary packer according to claim 17, wherein the packer head has a shield fixed thereto in the upper portion of the charging chamber for closing the open top of the charging chamber upon movement of the packer head to said container opening. I I

19. In a stationary packer according to claim 17, wherein the packer head ismoved through the opening into the con tainer.

20. A stationary packer assembly comprising a container upper portion of the packer head to be moved thereby to a position to shield the charging chamber when the packer head forces material into the container and to be retracted for filling the charging chamber upon movement of the packer to a retracted position.

'21. A stationary packer comprising an elongated supporting frame, means at one end portion of said frame forming a charging chamber open at one side and top, an upright compaction head forming another side of the charging chamber, means mounting the compaction head .for swinging movement about an upright axis through the. charging chamber toward the open side, an enclosure at the opposite end portion of the supporting frame, a fluid actuated cylinder operatively connected with the compaction head for moving said head in the charging chamber, and power means located within the enclosure for supplying power to said cylinder.

22. A stationary packeraccording to claim 21, wherein the power means includes a power unit detachable and removable from the enclosure.

23. A stationary packer according to claim 21, wherein the enclosure includes a surrounding frame with enclosure panels on a plurality of sides thereof for enclosing the power means therein. 

1. In a stationary packer assembly, the combination with a container having an opening in a side thereof, of a packer unit extending transversely of said side, means detachably connecting the container with the packer unit for separation and removal of the container therefrom, packer means located in one end portion of the packer unit and operated transversely of the container for directing material through the opening into the container, and power means located in the opposite end portion of the packer unit and operatively connected with the packer means for moving the packer means.
 2. In a stationary packer assembly according to claim 1, the packer unit including a charging chamber, and the transversely operated means including a compaction head mounted for swinging movement through the charging chamber.
 3. In a stationary packer according to claim 2, wherein the packer means has a shield fixed thereto in the upper portion of the charging chamber and swingable therewith for closing the open top of the charging chamber upon movement of the packer head to said container opening.
 4. In a stationary packer assembly according to claim 1, and means for supporting the packer unit separate and independent of the container.
 5. In a stationary packer assembly according to claim 1, the container having baffle means in the lower portion thereof for directing the material upwardly and lengthwise of the container.
 6. A stationary packer comprising a supporting frame, means carried by the frame forming a charging chamber open at one side and the top, an upright compaction head forming another side of the charging chamber, means mounting the compaction head for swinging movement about an upright axis through the charging chamber, means for applying power thereto to move the head in the chamber, and a shield connected with the upper portion of the compaction head to be moved thereby about the axis of the head to a position to shield the charging chamber when the compaction head forces material through the open side and to be retracted for filling the charging chamber upon movement of the compaction head to a retracted position.
 7. A stationary packer according to claim 6, the mounting means including an upright shaft supporting the compaction head for swinging movement in an arc through the charging chamber.
 8. A stationary packer according to claim 6, the power means including a power cylinder connected at one end with the frame and at the opposite end with the compaction head within the lateral confines thereof, and adapted to be connected with a self-contained removable power unit.
 9. A container comprising surrounding walls including opposite sidewalls and a bottom, said container having an opening at one side thereof, a packer device secured to the container between parallel planes extending along the adjacent sidewalls, said device including a packer head located at one end of said one side operating through said opening, and means located substantially bEtween said parallel planes at the opposite end of said one side for operating the packer head.
 10. A container according to claim 9, wherein the packer head is pivotally mounted to operate through an arc into the opening.
 11. A container according to claim 9, wherein the packer device includes a hopper portion extending approximately one-half the width of the container and the operating means extends through the other one-half of the width of the container.
 12. In a stationary packer assembly, the combination with a container having end walls and sidewalls, one of the sidewalls having an opening therein adjacent one of the end walls, of a packer unit connected with the container and extending along said one sidewall, said packer unit including a charging chamber at one end of said one side with a bottom and an open top, a packer head mounted in the packer unit for movement through the charging chamber to force material therefrom through the opening into the container, said packer unit including a housing connected with the charging chamber and extending substantially from the mid portion to substantially the opposite end of said one side, and power means enclosed within the housing and connected with the packer head for moving said head in opposite directions.
 13. In a stationary packer according to claim 12, wherein the housing includes a supporting frame and the power means extends from the packer head substantially to the opposite side of the housing.
 14. In a stationary packer according to claim 12, wherein the housing includes a supporting frame and enclosing sides, means mounting the packer head for swinging movement on the frame, and a power cylinder connected at one end with the packer head and extending therefrom to the frame substantially at the opposite side of the housing.
 15. In a stationary packer according to claim 12, wherein the packer head is moved through the opening into the container.
 16. In a stationary packer according to claim 12, wherein the packer head has a shield fixed to the upper edge portion thereof for closing the open top of the charging chamber upon movement of the packer head to said container opening.
 17. In a stationary packer assembly, the combination with a container having end walls and sidewalls, one of the sidewalls having an opening therein adjacent one of the end walls, of a packer unit comprising a supporting frame extending along said one side of the container, means for connecting the frame with the container, means forming a housing at one end of the frame, separate means forming a charging chamber at the opposite end of the frame having an open top and a side in registry with the opening in the container, an upright shaft mounted in the frame intermediate the housing and the charging chamber and approximately midway of the length of said one side, a packer head mounted on the shaft for swinging movement to the container opening, and a power cylinder connected at one end with the packer head and extending therefrom to the opposite side of the housing.
 18. In a stationary packer according to claim 17, wherein the packer head has a shield fixed thereto in the upper portion of the charging chamber for closing the open top of the charging chamber upon movement of the packer head to said container opening.
 19. In a stationary packer according to claim 17, wherein the packer head is moved through the opening into the container.
 20. A stationary packer assembly comprising a container having a sidewall with an opening in the sidewall thereof, a charging member connected with the container and having an open top, a packer head at one side of the charging chamber, means mounting the packer head for swinging movement through the charging chamber to force material through the opening into the container, and a shield connected with the upper portion of the packer head to be moved thereby to a position to shield the charging chamber when the packer head forces material into the container and to be retracted for filLing the charging chamber upon movement of the packer to a retracted position.
 21. A stationary packer comprising an elongated supporting frame, means at one end portion of said frame forming a charging chamber open at one side and top, an upright compaction head forming another side of the charging chamber, means mounting the compaction head for swinging movement about an upright axis through the charging chamber toward the open side, an enclosure at the opposite end portion of the supporting frame, a fluid actuated cylinder operatively connected with the compaction head for moving said head in the charging chamber, and power means located within the enclosure for supplying power to said cylinder.
 22. A stationary packer according to claim 21, wherein the power means includes a power unit detachable and removable from the enclosure.
 23. A stationary packer according to claim 21, wherein the enclosure includes a surrounding frame with enclosure panels on a plurality of sides thereof for enclosing the power means therein. 